This morning in Toronto, Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent joined Grade 8 students from École Secondaire Étienne Brulé and Gordon A. Brown Middle School to kick off “Canada’s Coolest School Trip”, the newest contest for the My Parks Pass program.

The contest, run in partnership between My Parks Pass, Brewster Travel Canada, and Banff Lake Louise Tourism, with the support of Air Canada, challenges Grade 8 / secondary 2 classes to re-create a significant moment related to a Canadian national park, national historic site or national marine conservation area. This could mean recreating the moments leading up to Confederation at Sir George-Etienne Cartier National Historic Site, reliving the sinking of the W. L. Wetmore at Fathom Five National Marine Conservation Area or even joining in the Yukon gold rush at Dawson Historical Complex.

The My Parks Pass program works to connect Grade 8 / secondary 2 students across the country with Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Nature Canada is pleased to be partner in the My Parks Pass program and share in the opportunity to engage Canadian youth in our natural and cultural heritage. “Few countries have been as profoundly shaped by nature as Canada,” said Ian Davidson, Executive Director of Nature Canada. “Canada’s parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas provide a vital link to our shared history and culture, and it’s important our youth have the chance to experience them.”

Stay tuned! Starting January 9th, we’ll be calling on the public to vote for their favorite video on the My Parks Pass website. The winning Grade 8 / secondary 2 class will win a trip to Banff National Park for 4 days of fun. This is as cool as it gets!